Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Update Re: New Nordic Walking 24 Hour World Record

Here is a real nice message received from Mike Gates from http://www.poleabout.com.au in Australia. Mike set the original Nordic / Pole Walking 24 hour world record on March 12th, 2005 when he walked 138 km in 24 hours.

Here is what Mike says about Kari Helgasvaara, who recently broke the Nordic Walking 24 hour World Record, beating the previously best set by German Bernd Beigl.

Kari's new World Record of 156 km in 24 hours, broke Bernd's previous best by 200 metres.

"I wish to personally congratulate this gentleman Kari the Finn on his great effort in undertaking such a challenge as I know only to well being a very keen Pole / Nordic Walking Ultra Sport junkie, of the commitment, pain and suffering, both physically and mentally one goes through; in not only doing the event but preparing for the big day as well. But more importantly it is fantastic to see he had the ability to push himself to his limit and come out on top, please let him know it was an awesome effort."